31' - 32' Express: Topaz, Albemalre, C. Classic - Page 2

Topaz · 09-22-2007, 03:28 PM

on my boat the engine room is very accessible, due to the fwd blukhead that on the 2001+ models has been placed 1 foot forward respect to the original project, even in order to accomodate the C7 Cats.
Very dry and soft ride, it'll eat almost any 5'-7' sea in comfort.
Every filter or liquid check is placed on the center passageway between the engines so the daily maintenance is very easy. All the bridgedeck rises thanks to 2 linear actuators so the top of the engine is very reachable
ben

Bill Fisher · 09-22-2007, 10:21 PM

I have a 2001 305 Albie and love the boat. The 310 XF is the newer version. Same hull but a little different top side and layout. I haven't pushed my boat in heavy seas but the guy in the slip next to me has the same exact boat and he goes out 70 nms in really sloppy stuff. My boat has 3126 Cats and it cruises about 25.5 kts when loaded for offshore with a full crew. I get a little better then 1 nm per gallon. Pretty dry and fishes well. I have not been on a big Carolina Classic or Topaz so I can't tell you any comparison.

Although maybe Graceland can chime in because he has fished on my boat a few times.

Good Luck

Bill Fisher

dubb · 09-24-2007, 12:12 PM

A better comparison would be a 33 albemarle and a 32 carolina classic. I have a 32 exp albemarle. It has a good ride but it does not like to sit. It cruises 24kt 25g/h. I do not see how the new 33 can ride as good the 32. That 2 foot of extra beam has to have a negative effect on the head sea ride.

shoefish · 09-24-2007, 12:49 PM

Just catching up to this thread. We made that exact move this year- went from a Albemarle 28 to the 31, and all I can say is wow. It is like moving from a cuddy outboard into the 28- just a huge leap forward. The new boat is the 31 with 3126s, cruised around 26-28, and I think gets a little better than 1 mpg. Not sure exactly what kind of fishing you do, but one of the best steps forward is that the new 31 is respectable on anchor and on the drift. We used to have to wait for a perfect day to drift or sit on the hook because the 28 would roll so much, but the new boat is great- even in a 2-3' chop it doesn't roll too much. Are there other specific questions that you have about the 31?

Graceland · 09-24-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Fisher

Although maybe Graceland can chime in because he has fished on my boat a few times.

Good Luck

Bill Fisher

I thought about your boat when I typed in my original response. I didn't mention it because I thought they were different hulls. When we going billfishing again? They were smoking this weekend from what I heard.

Tower Todd · 09-24-2007, 06:11 PM

Thank you for all of your responses so far. The boat will be kept in Everett, WA during the winter for Blackmouth Salmon fishing and the spring for cruises into the San Juan Islands and halibut / bottom fishing. Late spring we will run her out to Westport, WA (Pac Coast) and keep her there for summer and fall tuna fishing. Most of our tuna runs are 35 -50nm. We'd like to do some longer offshore trips and stay overnight. We have had a great summer and caught lots of fish. We even caught our first Bluefin Tuna in the NW! A little 23 pounder, but we know there are larger.

Shoe,
Thanks for the note about the 31'. That was my number one choice until I started looking to see what else is out there. I've read everything possible about the 31' and your numbers look better than most I've seen. The cruise on the Topaz with the 460 C7's really looks good to me at the moment, although I'm having trouble getting much info on them.

Either way it will likely be a couple more months before I'm ready and that should put me at a good time of year to purchase a boat.

Todd

albemarle305 · 09-24-2007, 06:23 PM

We have a 1998 305 albemarle. Moved up from a 28. We loved our 28 but had to move up because the rock at drift was terrible and had no generator. The 305 offers about the same ride as the 28 but drifts a lot better with a 11ft beam. You really have to ride all the boats you listed to beable to pick. they are all great boats. Some will ride better, some will be dry, some will be wet, some will drift bad, some won't, some the layout is great and some aren't. We love our boat. We actually like the cabin layout better in ours then the new 31ft. We still pick our days to go but the boat can handle a lot. ALL 3 boats you listed will hangle a lot. Good luck with what ever you get

09-22-2007, 10:21 PM	#12
Bill Fisher I caught a fish once :) Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 53 Credits: 1,211.6	I have a 2001 305 Albie and love the boat. The 310 XF is the newer version. Same hull but a little different top side and layout. I haven't pushed my boat in heavy seas but the guy in the slip next to me has the same exact boat and he goes out 70 nms in really sloppy stuff. My boat has 3126 Cats and it cruises about 25.5 kts when loaded for offshore with a full crew. I get a little better then 1 nm per gallon. Pretty dry and fishes well. I have not been on a big Carolina Classic or Topaz so I can't tell you any comparison. Although maybe Graceland can chime in because he has fished on my boat a few times. Good Luck Bill Fisher __________________ Bill Fisher "If you see my boat, you're in the right spot"

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09-22-2007, 03:28 PM	#11
Topaz Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 21 Credits: 1,241.9	on my boat the engine room is very accessible, due to the fwd blukhead that on the 2001+ models has been placed 1 foot forward respect to the original project, even in order to accomodate the C7 Cats. Very dry and soft ride, it'll eat almost any 5'-7' sea in comfort. Every filter or liquid check is placed on the center passageway between the engines so the daily maintenance is very easy. All the bridgedeck rises thanks to 2 linear actuators so the top of the engine is very reachable ben

09-24-2007, 12:12 PM	#13
dubb Hardcore fishacholic Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 83 Credits: 1,305.8	A better comparison would be a 33 albemarle and a 32 carolina classic. I have a 32 exp albemarle. It has a good ride but it does not like to sit. It cruises 24kt 25g/h. I do not see how the new 33 can ride as good the 32. That 2 foot of extra beam has to have a negative effect on the head sea ride.

09-24-2007, 12:49 PM	#14
shoefish Chum Nuts Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Portsmouth NH Posts: 4,710 Credits: 3,292.0	Just catching up to this thread. We made that exact move this year- went from a Albemarle 28 to the 31, and all I can say is wow. It is like moving from a cuddy outboard into the 28- just a huge leap forward. The new boat is the 31 with 3126s, cruised around 26-28, and I think gets a little better than 1 mpg. Not sure exactly what kind of fishing you do, but one of the best steps forward is that the new 31 is respectable on anchor and on the drift. We used to have to wait for a perfect day to drift or sit on the hook because the 28 would roll so much, but the new boat is great- even in a 2-3' chop it doesn't roll too much. Are there other specific questions that you have about the 31?

09-24-2007, 06:11 PM	#16
Tower Todd I use a green machine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 203 Credits: 3,739.6 Boat: Albemarle 28, ISO KALA Home Port: Westport, WA Occupation: Heavy Equipment Sales	Thank you for all of your responses so far. The boat will be kept in Everett, WA during the winter for Blackmouth Salmon fishing and the spring for cruises into the San Juan Islands and halibut / bottom fishing. Late spring we will run her out to Westport, WA (Pac Coast) and keep her there for summer and fall tuna fishing. Most of our tuna runs are 35 -50nm. We'd like to do some longer offshore trips and stay overnight. We have had a great summer and caught lots of fish. We even caught our first Bluefin Tuna in the NW! A little 23 pounder, but we know there are larger. Shoe, Thanks for the note about the 31'. That was my number one choice until I started looking to see what else is out there. I've read everything possible about the 31' and your numbers look better than most I've seen. The cruise on the Topaz with the 460 C7's really looks good to me at the moment, although I'm having trouble getting much info on them. Either way it will likely be a couple more months before I'm ready and that should put me at a good time of year to purchase a boat. Todd

09-24-2007, 06:23 PM	#17
albemarle305 Weaky wacker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 25 Credits: 1,236.3	We have a 1998 305 albemarle. Moved up from a 28. We loved our 28 but had to move up because the rock at drift was terrible and had no generator. The 305 offers about the same ride as the 28 but drifts a lot better with a 11ft beam. You really have to ride all the boats you listed to beable to pick. they are all great boats. Some will ride better, some will be dry, some will be wet, some will drift bad, some won't, some the layout is great and some aren't. We love our boat. We actually like the cabin layout better in ours then the new 31ft. We still pick our days to go but the boat can handle a lot. ALL 3 boats you listed will hangle a lot. Good luck with what ever you get